The goal of the Kern County Fire Department’s Fire Hazard Reduction Program is to protect life and property by providing an effective public education and regulation program that reduces hazards resulting from improper and/or inadequate defensible spacing. This reduction of hazards increases firefighter and public safety, as well as improves our ability to protect your property in the event of a fire.

Please be advised, that in accordance with Kern County Ordinance Codes within 8.46, all Kern County property owners whose properties are located within State Responsibility Area’s (SRA) are required to perform hazard reduction clearance on all property they own by June 1st of every year. If these requirements are not met, property owners will be subject to a $500 Administrative Citation. For more information, please visit our website at www.kerncountyfire.org to view the Hazard Reduction guidelines. The website provides valuable information on how you can ensure your property passes inspection.

Beginning June 2 of each year, Department personnel will begin inspecting these properties within the State Responsibility Area. Properties found to be in violation will be issued a $500 Administrative Citation. The owner of the cited property will be given 15 days from the mailing date of the citation to either dispute the citation or show proof the violation was corrected. After the 15 day period, the $500 fee will be assessed and the property owner may be subject to an additional $1000 fine for continued non-compliance.

The Kern County Fire Department strives to be as accurate as possible in this process, however we realize mistakes can be made. The Department and the Hazard Reduction Office will work with property owners to fix any mistakes made during this inspection process. If you believe you have received a citation in error, you may submit a “Request for Review”. To do so, please visit www.kerncountyfire.org where you can find the “Request for Review” form and instructions under the Hazard Info tab. The form can also be mailed to the Hazard Reduction Office at the above address, or you can speak with a representative by calling the number below. This must be done within 15 days of the mailing date on the citation. If the “Request for Review” has not been received by our office within the 15 days, all fees will be assessed without exception.

If you have any questions please call 661-823-1001 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.